London-based Delvendahl Martin Architects have converted two Victorian semi-detached houses into a single, bright and spacious 350sqm family home in central Oxford. The two existing Victorian houses are joined together by introducing a new staircase clad in stained timber perpendicular to the party wall, creating a lynchpin for the merged layout.

The existing symmetrical arrangement gets thus rotated to achieve a continuous flow of spaces throughout each floor. The change of level from the entrance to the back garden is negotiated through a second staircase, in this case constructed using recovered bricks from the demolition works, and a new loggia accessible from the kitchen and main living room of the house.

The loggia, which occupies a rear extension, it was built using materials of contrasting colours to the original houses in order to highlight the new construction and create a strong visual link, making the building look like one house as it was originally intended.

The façade is articulated with a series of deep anodized aluminium blades that filter the daylight and mitigate overlooking to the adjacent houses. The glass screen can be fully opened to make the space feel like an elevated terrace, facing the two rear gardens where the original dividing wall was retained. All the fitted furniture and most of the fittings, including lights, door handles and handrails were designed specifically for the house.

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